2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 vs 2020 Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 — Comparison
2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45
2020 Fountaine Pajot Aura 51
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 | 2020 Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Fountaine Pajot | Fountaine Pajot |
| Year | 2019 | 2020 |
| Type | Catamaran | Catamaran |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Berret-Racoupeau | Berret-Racoupeau |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.42 m (44.0 ft) | 15.40 m (50.5 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 14.70 m (48.2 ft) |
| Beam | 7.67 m (25.2 ft) | 8.20 m (26.9 ft) |
| Draft | 1.28 m (4.2 ft) | 1.35 m (4.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) | 18,000 kg (39,683 lbs) |
| Ballast | — | — |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 100.0 m² (1,076 ft²) | 140.0 m² (1,507 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Mini Keel | Mini Keel |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 2 HP | 2 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 480 L (126.8 gal) | 720 L (190.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 860 L (227.2 gal) | 1200 L (317.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 12 |
| Cabins | 4 | 5 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 and 2020 Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 represent two takes on catamaran-rigged sailing. The 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 is a modern design by Fountaine Pajot from France, while the 2020 Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 is a modern offering from Fountaine Pajot from France. The 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 was penned by Berret-Racoupeau. The 2020 Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 was designed by Berret-Racoupeau.
In terms of size, the 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 measures 13.42m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 7.67m, compared to the 2020 Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 at 15.40m (50.5ft) with a 8.20m beam. The 2020 Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 is 1.98m longer than the 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45. The 2020 Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 displaces approximately 44% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.86 and 100.0 m² of sail area. The 2020 Fountaine Pajot Aura 51, with an SA/D of 20.70 and 140.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2020 Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 7.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.32). The 2020 Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 has a comfort ratio of 7.5 and a capsize screening value of 1.25. The ballast ratios are 0.0% for the 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 and 0.0% for the 2020 Fountaine Pajot Aura 51, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 860L of water capacity and 480L of fuel. The 2020 Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 offers 12 berths in 5 cabins with 1200L water and 720L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 2020 Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2020 Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.